Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aim: Infection control is an integral part of dentistry and dental impressions are considered an important issue in cross contamination. The aim of this study was to investigate the dimensional stability of two irreversible hydrocolloid materials, Alginoplast and Iralgin after disinfection with 5.2% sodium hypochlorite, used with immersion and spraying methods.

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, impressions were made of a master mandibular arch (Typodont) containing three stainless steel inserts on the occlucal surface of both mandibular first molars and in the lingual surface of the mandibular central incisors, which served as reference marks for making measurements. Two types of irreversible hydrocolloid (Iralgin and Alginoplast) were tested. 5.2% sodium hypochlorite was used in two methods of spraying and immersion to disinfect the samples. The control group was not disinfected. Casts were made of type III gypsum. Stone casts were measured with a Nikon profile projector.Kruskall-Wallis and Mann-Witney test were used for statistical analysis using p<0.05 as the limit of significance.

Results: Casts prepared from Alginoplast disinfected by spraying method, were 0.38 % larger in anteroposterior and 0.06% smaller in cross arch dimensions, whereas those prepared from Alginoplast immersed in hypochlorite were 0.47% larger in anteroposterior and 0.11% smaller in cross arch dimensions. Casts made from Iralgin were smaller after both methods of disinfecting, (0.01% smaller in anteroposterior and 0.001% smaller in cross-arch dimensions after spraying and 0.04% smaller in anteroposterior and 0.03% smaller in cross-arch dimensions after immersing in sodium hypochlorite).

Conclusion: Alginoplast and Iralgin impressions can be immersed or sprayed for disinfection without compromising the accuracy needed for diagnostic and opposing casts, as well as removable partial denture construction.

Background and Aims: Since impression materials usually contact with saliva, blood, and oral soft tissues, their microbial contamination are harmful in immunocompromised patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the bacterial and fungal contamination in common impression materials.

Materials and Methods: In current lab trial study, 5 different samples from each 4 impression materials were homogenized in 1 ml Tween 80 and then 100µl of each sample were cultured onto blood agar, EMB, or sabouraud dextrose agar. Bacterial and fungal cultures were incubated at 37º C and 30º C, respectively. The isolated bacterial and fungal colonies were enumerated and identified using specific diagnostic media and tests. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: Totally 75% of samples had one or several bacterial contaminations. Iranian alginate and Speedex (putty) were the most contaminated samples. On the other hand, Speedex (light body) and foreign alginate showed lower contamination. Species of Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacilluses, Corynebacteria, gram negative Citrobacter, Actinomycetes and Neisseria were isolated from the analyzed impression materials. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Sepdonium were the fungi isolated from impression materials. Statistical significant difference was shown between bacterial contamination of Iranian and foreign alginates (P=0.001). There was no statistical significant differences between the bacterial and fungal isolated colonies (CFU/gr) of 4 tested impression materials (P=0.21).

Conclusion: Several opportunistic bacteria and fungi were isolated from impression materials especially from Iranian alginate and Speedex putty which indicated their contamination.